diff --git a/django/contrib/auth/tests/basic.py b/django/contrib/auth/tests/basic.py
index 6d4f6664c4..9f94c2a769 100644
--- a/django/contrib/auth/tests/basic.py
+++ b/django/contrib/auth/tests/basic.py
@@ -42,13 +42,13 @@ class BasicTestCase(TestCase):
     def test_user_no_email(self):
         "Check that users can be created without an email"
         u = User.objects.create_user('testuser1')
-        u.email = ''
+        self.assertEqual(u.email, '')
 
         u2 = User.objects.create_user('testuser2', email='')
-        u2.email = ''
+        self.assertEqual(u2.email, '')
 
         u3 = User.objects.create_user('testuser3', email=None)
-        u3.email = ''
+        self.assertEqual(u3.email, '')
 
     def test_anonymous_user(self):
         "Check the properties of the anonymous user"